Yeah. I'm a bit disappointed to see "more of the same" - I can't really see how they add anything to the game except that they didn't want to re-use existing Pokemon. However, for this generation, GameFreak have actually paid attention to competitive battling, so my hope is that the final evolutions of these earlier Pokemon will still be usable against some of the 'endgame' ones.

I do like Skrelp - even though we already have a seahorse and Water/Poison isn't exactly the most unique type combo. My hope is that it's Posion abilities are focused on more than, say, Tentacruel. And if they've given Poison a buff then this could become a great new addition. Non-legendary,Non-starter fire/flying combo is a welcome addition.

I don't really care for go-nowhere games or grindy slow-progress games. Would prefer a game with a story and/or a clear endpoint. Most of you know that Dark Souls is my game of current-gen... how does Monster Hunter compare to it?

Last spam comment, I promise.
I will be at Kinokuniya's probably from about 4:30 tonight, although I think meeting at 6:30 works for a lot of people.
Let's have dinner! I was thinking Korean! Or whatever people want, I'm no fussed. Might be tasty.
No worries if you can't make it!

I can't stick around since the wife is not well and I need to head straight home, but I work upstairs from Kinokuniya so I might sneak out a few minutes early this afternoon and stop by just to say hi to everyone, if you're still around.

Ace Attorney for a certainty.
I too played OoT to death as a kid and have been more than happy to continue to do so.
Depending on your love/apathy for FF music Theatrythym is AMAZEBALLS.
Fire Emblem: Awakening is the tits.

If you love Dark Souls and are more than used to how it plays (thanks Capt. Obvious) than Monster Hunter is going to frustrate you beyond all reason to the point of anger.

I only had to grind in my first game before the end bosses because I didn't know what I was doing.
These days I can beat the end bos without any extra grinding and then if you like there is always a massive post-ending game.

Pokemon is a lot of fun, and can be grindy, but I'd say a bigger issue is that the games have gotten gradually more complex over time and unless you seriously know what you're doing then there's no point in trying to play it competitively.

I'd definitely pick up the latest Pokemon if I could be arsed owning a 3DS, but I definitely wouldn't try to battle other people, I'd stick with the story mode.

Oh god, Shane! SHANE! If youre new to pokemans, you got to give at least one a try. Like jimu says, only grindey if youre not into it, but adversely its very easy to get into it, in which case it doesnt feel grindey at all. Get eeeeeeet!!

hnrrrrrg * curls up in a ball, and rocks back and forth *
Knights in the Nightmare, broke my brain so bad, trying to do real time dodging while thinking about turn based fighting, I think i'm wired wrong for that game

Monster Hunter is nothing like Dark Souls - the parallel seems to be drawn from the difficulty/learning curve similarities, but that's all they have in common. Not to say you won't enjoy it, but it's no Demon's/Dark Souls.

I disagree to a point, Monster Hunter and Dark Souls are both third person action RPGs that focus on fighting giant bosses with melee combat and require you to manage both your health and stamina as you fight.

I agree with your disagree. I was also going to say I disagree with Ynefel as Monster Hunter and Dark Souls share a few things in common, bit of a stretch to say they're nothing alike. To be a bit more specific the whole idea of timing things in battle. Healing has an animation, attacks are slow, blocks, dodges etc. The damaging and cutting of tails, using them to forge stuff.

And @shane I forgot to mention MH's stamina bar which is pretty much like Dark Souls. Except you don't increase it by levelling up (there's no levelling up in MH), but by cooking and eating food.

There's also no big interconnected areas like Dark Souls. The areas are kind of big but they're broken up into zones and sections which will take getting used to. The quests will be for specific areas ie. "Kill Great Jaggi in the Deserted Island" and you'll be stuck on the Deserted Island map for the duration of the quest/hunt. The areas are still pretty big though but it's not like how you can go from a desert area to a snowy area like you'd go from Undead Parish to Blighttown.

Super Mario 3D Land is my fave 3D mario since 64 :D
Mario Kart 7 is decent
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D is solid
I quite like SHin Megami Tensei Devil Survivor Overclocked
If you can find Cave Story 3D, you're still prolly better off playing it on PC :P
Resident Evil Revelations was actually decent
Zelda ooT I wouldn't have bought but played the shit out of after receiving as a gift
Star Fox 64 3D I liked but the redone voices hurt me

ANIMAL CROSSING! Haha, I dont even care if its not your type of game, you can just get it to give me all the things you get each day because I'm a hoarder! Also I need moar flowers, you can give me all your flowers.

Also, pretty sure they will slowly, slowly release all the older GB & GBC games before they move on to GBA before they move on to DS so that people with money burning holes in their pockets will pick up any inferior versions and then the better versions when they finally release in 100 years.

Mannnnnnnn, there's always so many games to recommend whenever someone asks that and the list can go on and on and on. Usually a quick way to do this is just go to something like Metacritic and search for all the top 3DS/DS games and see which ones take your fancy, then ask us for opinions/thoughts. I could write down a massive list of the best DS/3DS games but I'm not sure which ones you'd like.

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A potential list of sorts is good, as well as types of games you'd be interested in (although I think we all have a pretty good idea. To address what you've already said...

Snake Eater - I probably wouldn't get it. I hear the 3DS one isn't that great compared to other versions and I don't really see a point getting it again if you already have it (if I recall you've got the HD version?)

OoT - I probably wouldn't get it either. It's basically the same game. It just depends how much you like OoT, I guess. OoT is probably my favourite game of all time so I was all over the 3DS version (bought a 3DS for it!) but it's probably better to spend that money on another game.

Mario - Mario Kart 7 is good fun and is probably my favourite Mario Kart out of the ones I've played (haven't played Double Dash!). 3D Land is a really good mix of 2D and 3D Mario and worth checking out if you're a fan of Mario platformers. I haven't played NSMB or Paper Mario but I hear they're fun but not as good as other entries in the series (too much coin collecting in NSMB, Paper Mario is lacking in the RPG elements that made the others good).

Ace Attorney - IS A MUST PLAY! Is it a must play on DS? I'm not too sure. I don't think you've got a tablet but it's probably better to play the HD version. The DS games are pretty rare to find and it'll set you back probably $120+. The newly released HD Trilogy has three of the games for $18ish and in HD. Knowing Capcom I reckon they'll re-release them plenty of times so there's no rush! But they're pretty connected so I wouldn't recommend jumping into Dual Destinies without playing the first 4.

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As for how Monster Hunter compares to Dark Souls/Souls games. The whole idea of timing things perfectly is pretty much like Monster Hunter. Weapons are slow, or quick but hard to break out of a combo so you need to attack when it's safe. Should I attack, dodge, block or run away? There's also a healing/item use animation so you need to time it correctly (just like Souls!). Combat is pretty basic in Monster Hunter but it's not bad, people are just shit at it (:P). Definitely a lot tighter in Souls games though. Camera is fairly shit though and you'll definitely 100% need a Circle Pad Pro to make it manageable, especially in underwater fights. I have a feeling it might be something you'd like.

There's a sense of progression but no real story. You accept quests which can range from "Gather X amount of Y", "Kill X amount of Z monsters" or "Hunt a Great Jaggi". The Hunts are the main things and the gathering, killing of smaller animals etc. quests are just to get you prepared for the hunts. A hunt is like a boss battle from any other game except a lot more intense. You'll have to be prepared. Want to heal? Make a potion. Want to make a potion? Gather the materials. A lot of items and materials can be purchased though. You might also want to “study up” on the monster beforehand with things like weaknesses, movement and attack patterns etc. but most of these you’ll discover as you fight them.
As for the “progression” you’ll fight harder and bigger monsters as you rank up. And trust me, they get HARD. One thing I like about it, is that there’s no health bar for monsters. You’ll have to determine what they’re like by looking at them. Are they limping as a sign of weakness? Are they sleeping to recover health because they’re about to die? Are they drooling because they’re angry and in rage mode? You can also cut off their tails and damage parts of their body to obtain specific items at the end (just like another game!). And just like that game you can use these parts to create weapons BUT also armour.

The thing about Monster Hunter is that there’s A LOT of information and things you need to know but luckily we’re here to help. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (the one that came out earlier this year on 3DS and Wii U) was the first real Monster Hunter game I played and it took a bit of learning. But once I got it down, it’s been an absolute blast. Playing with the TAYbies was great too and led to some pretty funny moments – Good job!

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Where to get games? The usual places – Ozgameshop, Zavvi for imports, EB/JB and sometimes Kmart/Target/Big W. New releases are usually $55 to import, $68 at EB/JB and SOMETIMES you can find $50-60 at a Kmart/Target/Big W.

Prices for older games are a bit all over the place. But being Nintendo games they will stay around $50. Sometimes you’ll see them go for sale for $30 and very rarely you’ll have an insane clearance sale like Target is currently having and first party games (i.e. GOOD games) will be reduced to $25, then further reduced to $14. If you head on over and can find titles like Resident Evil: Revelations, Kid Icarus, Star Fox, Ocarina of Time for $14 each, just go ahead and buy them. Absolute steal for that price!

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I have a feeling Luigi’s Mansion 2 will be right up your alley, it’s just pure fun as a game and hard not to like. You may like Monster Hunter but it’s a love or hate thing. The controls really aren’t that bad and you just have to work with it.

- I had so much fun with Theatrhythm. If you’re a fan of Final Fantasy (and rhythm games) you’d love it!
- Fire Emblem Awakening is good – not sure if you’re into the whole Strategy RPG thing though!
- DQIX – I hear it’s good and a lot like a classic JRPG
- RE: Revelations – I’ve only really played and finished RE5 with a few hours in RE4 but I really liked RE: Revelations. Like I said above, Target have it for $14 but it’s been a clearance price for a while but if you can find a copy at that price, DEFINITELY buy it.
- DKC Returns is a fun platformer and plays like the SNES ones if you’re into them! (I’d probably recommend it more than a 2D Mario ala. NSMB)
- Chrono Muhfuggen Trigger! \o/

I still disagree with the HD Ace Attorney is definitive angle, but it certainly is cheaper. Ebays though, you can at least get the first game for like, $20? Which is pretty reasonable, and personally I like the original sprites and pacing of things like the text scrolling and sfx. This is going purely off youtube videos of the HD version mind :3

If you import a UK one I can give you a code for free Monster Hunter if you'd like.

Otherwise, top games on the system are probably Fire Emblem and Luigi's Mansion, then probably Theatrhythm. Also Rhythm Thief is pretty fun. If you like JRPGs, Tales of the Abyss is also good but might be hard to find?

No no, I think you'll need to register your 3DS XL Club Nintendo UK code for these promotions and since (nearly all) Club Nintendo codes are region locked, he'd need a UK 3DS XL. I assume Aleph wouldn't have used it though.

EDIT: Unless Neg already did that part and Shane just needs to input the code in the eShop for the game.

Last time I checked up on the promotion, someone who had already registered MH3U needed someone with a UK 3DS to register their 3DS first and then they'd get a code.

From http://www.nintendo.co.uk/Misc-/Campaigns/Monster-Hunter-Gift-Hunt-Together-Promotion/Monster-Hunter-Gift-Hunt-Together-Promotion-760515.html

If you register Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (Nintendo 3DS version) with Club Nintendo before 22:59 (UK time) on 30th June, you’ll be able to receive a Recommendation Code which you can pass along to a friend (what Neg did). If your friend registers a Nintendo 3DS or Nintendo 3DS XL system between 23:01 (UK time) on 3rd June and 22:59 (UK time) on 31st July 2013, and enters the Recommendation Code before 22:59 (UK time) on 5th August 2013, he/she will be eligible to receive a free Download Code for Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate on Nintendo 3DS! (what you'll need to do)

I would only get MGS3 if you have/get the extra thumb stick attachment (Control Pad Plus?). It is playable without, but I think it would get frustrating. Ignore @greenius, 3DS version is superior. However, I also think that it's not really a very portable friendly type game - better for long hauls than short bursts. So make of that what you will.

Well, time for a full week of work again after being on training, and my parents sent me an email saying they're coming back one day earlier than expected... well shit :'(
Hope everyone else has a better Monday

Prooobably wasn't a good idea to drink the night before it, but oh well, best friends birthday. Had a pretty good weekend not at college! Got dragged out as soon as I got back from my accounting exam last Friday and got back 20 minutes ago :P

Ending spoilers:How many attempts did it take you to beat H3O? I kept getting screwed over near the last painful memory by swarms of memory jerks while those explosions go off. Playing on hard, getting hit by two explosions and a leaper meant death, and it was impossible to use regen attacks...

Wow, shit. That's a bit of a difference...they wouldn't stop respawning for me. I even tried using various abilities and still failed. Most successful was cloaking so they wouldn't attack me, and even then the explosions occasionally boxed me in and killed me in one or two hits.

As recompense for a random reply which had nothing to do with you, have a new comment chain.
I heartily recommend games such as:
- Fire Emblem Awakening
- Virtue's Last Reward
- Resident Evil Revelations (might be cheap on 3DS since it's coming for 360/PS3?)

I agree with all the 3ds suggestions. I would suggest Layton games for DS. At least try out the first, Curious Village - Target has it for $15ish if you can find any copies, otherwise fairly cheap on the bays of e. Other DS games that Shane might like hmmm...

- if you get into Fire Awakening, you might love Advance Wars Dual Strike as much as me!
- definitely Ace Attorney
- original New Super Mario bros - wayyyy better than all the sequels imo
- Touch Detective (bit rarer, easy to find on ebays - an adventure game with hilarious dialogue)
- Elite Beat Agents (only if you like Theatrhythm/ rhythm games...)

Went to JB to pick up some games for the second time this year (the first being Bioshock Infinite).

I had forgotten how compelling their sales can be when you haven't bought anything for awhile. Thanks to their 2 for $40 bin I walked out with Sonic Generations, Stories from Liberty City, Journey Collector's Edition, and inFamous 2. That was on top of The Last of Us which we were there for to begin with. Then my wife saw Highlander in the 2 for $20 blu-ray bin, so we had to get that, and Shaun of the Dead rounded out the transaction. Oh, and Crysis 3.

And I thought letting my wife go makeup shopping was bad.

At least I can get some use out of these purchases. I can't get any use out of her makeup and nail polish, despite her occasional threats to to the contrary.

I think now that new consoles are < 5 months away, I am going to make a determined effort to finish the games I own instead of buying more. I'm pretty sure there's nothing coming out between now and November that I need to have.

Well, maybe GTAV... though surely there'll be an XBone/PS4 port, right? Maybe it can wait a couple of months.

Yep! I kept telling myself I'd pick it up but just never go around to it. Now that we've dusted off the PS3 for The Last of Us, I'm going to make an effort to play Journey and inFamous 1 & 2. If I'm feeling really crazy I might pick up Uncharted 2 & 3, but really, I have such a huge stack of unplayed games right now that I'm going to have to face the reality that there are some that just aren't going to get played, and move on. I loved Uncharted but I don't know if there's any point to getting the sequels now.

I hoarded sweet rolls in Skyrim. If I saw a sweet roll, I grabbed it/bought it/stole it as soon as possible. If it was in someone's house, I'd wait till dark and break in and steal it. My home in Whiterun had so many sweet rolls it wasn't even funny.

Fixed my alternator issues on my car over the weekend.... turns out i saved me a lot of money... it turns out that the alternator belt was just really loose and constantly skipping, thus the alternator wasnt generating power... a quick adjustment later, the belt was tight, and all was well!!!

so i looked in my work laptop bag and i apparently have my vita with me by pure and wonderful accident.... now considering i had loaded it with a bunch of games over the weekend, i shall be unleashing terror on all those that stand in the way of my mission.

also it appears i have developed an unhealthy obsession with a mobile game, Clash Of Clans.. its F2P and i recommend you all download it and join my clan... just say goodbye to your loved ones for the next few months....